‘Shono ekti Mujiborer theke’ resonates across New Delhi’s Rajpath
Bangladesh Armed Forces contingent participates in India’s republic day parade
The widely popular song "Shono ekti Mujiborer theke/Lokkho Mujiborer" played by the Bangladesh military band resonated across New Delhi's Rajpath as the country's armed forces contingent participated for the first time in India's 72nd Republic Day parade today.
The song, played by the band troupe headed by Lt Col Abu Mohd Shahnoor Shawan, was applauded by hundreds of viewers of the parade that began around 9:30am local time, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
The Bangladesh military band was followed by a 122-member defence forces team, comprising the army, air force and navy, whose impressive march-past was appreciated by the spectators.
The playing of the song hailing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the parade assumes significance when both Bangladesh and India are set to celebrate the birth centenary of the architect of independent Bangladesh with an elaborate set of activities.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute from the Bangladesh contingent as also other Indian contingents.
Among those present at the parade were Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several of their cabinet colleagues.
The usually grand Indian Republic Day parade this year was curtailed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Apart from a reduced list of events, the parade will also have a shorter route, no chief guest, fewer spectators and no children under 15 in the annual parade, and there were fewer soldiers in the Army and Navy contingents.